L takes a gamble and makes Light an offer. Once the pieces fall into place, it's a race to see who can outmaneuver the other...and a long series of mistakes. Set just after Yotsuba arc, when Light has his memories. COMPLETE!

AN- Not three days after Concerto ends and I'm already writing another. I am a shameless addict. Hmm...Spoilers up until book seven, then I kidnap the DN Universe and have my wicked way with it. This is sitting at T for Teen right now, and I don't know if it will turn Yaoi or not. I really don't. Just another little psycho-story of mine, don't read if you don't like mind games or if you have L down as an archangel. Cuz he's not.

Step Lightly,

Mikanis.

XXXX

Prologue- The Proposition

Now is as good a
time as any.

L stood slowly, setting
his tea down.

"Light-kun, would you
please come with me?" Light looked at him as the debate at the
table halted, and L almost smiled to feel the calculated stare fall
on his shoulders. He heard Light's chair scrape the floor and
headed towards the door.

He could hear Light's
footsteps behind him, and one last time, he ran through his options.
This could work. It was completely up to Kira however. That was
really the only risk he could find in the situation…Kira not being
open-minded. The door slid shut, and L turned to watch the camera in
the corner. Fifteen seconds later, the tiny red light clicked off,
and he smiled.

"Ryuuzaki…what are
you doing?"

"Setting the stage,
Light-kun. Please wait another fifteen seconds."

The blue light faded
out as well, and the microphones were dead. Now they could talk. L
turned and leaned on the wall, hands in his pockets.

"Don't interrupt
me, because we have exactly one minute in which to complete this
conversation. Nod." Light tensed, glancing at the door again, then
at the cameras…he nodded slowly.

"I will not repeat
myself, and you are a genius, therefore I will not elaborate. Nod."

What the hell is he
doing?, Light nodded again, coming stand directly in front of the
detective.

"I have a proposition
for you, regarding your future. We are both aware of you current
occupation. It is…lacking, in both legitimacy, and stability. Even
if you achieve your dream, it simply can not last." Light's eyes
widened. "It would be an insult to both of our intelligences to
assume otherwise. You do not have to agree with me yet. Nod."

Light did, mind racing.
L was that sure of himself?

"I'm offering you
the opportunity to continue your work, under slightly different
circumstances. You would work with me instead, legally, and under no
restraint save my own. We could save the world without slaughtering
half of it. Nod."

"…Good. This is a
one time offer Kira. Consider it. If you decline, it will not be made
again, no matter the circumstances. I trust in you to clean up your
own mess and in such a fashion that I will not have undue stress.
I'll have a hard enough time clearing this with my superiors
anyway. Take care of it, and I can give you what you want. As for
whether or not I'm telling the truth…Well, The only real
difference between Justice and Revenge is the number of people
involved. You have week to respond one way or the other. Be careful."

With that, L left him
and returned to the investigation room. Light stared after him, and
dimly realized that the camera came back online almost the exact
second that the door shut after him.

Light had always
believed that the ends justify the means. He also was unable to think
of justice as being black and white. L himself, with some of his
off-color techniques, just served to further that ideal. Light laced
his hands behind his head and closed his eyes as he thought. He knew
how insanely powerful the detective was…that part was not a lie. He
likely could still create a utopian world…

He'd get to kill
Misa…

The thought made him
chuckle. No, better to sleep on it. He had a week to make his
decision and put everything in place.

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